Banana fibre in Bihar: the remarkable story of an industry and an entrepreneur!

Patna: Bihar farmers plant banana in around 28,000 hectares of land every year. The banana plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant. The plants are normally tall and fairly sturdy and are often mistaken for trees, but their main or upright stem is actually a pseudostem that grows 6 to 7.6 metres (20 to 24.9 ft) tall, growing from a corm.

Each pseudostem can produce a single bunch of bananas. After fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but offshoots may develop from the base of the plant. Many varieties of bananas are perennial.

The relevant point here however is, the stem invariably goes waste. On the whole 22 districts in Bihar grow banana, some of them on a vast scale. Each acre of banana plantation may have up to 1300 tress. This may give you some idea of the banana waste output of entire Bihar. So what should be done?

According to standard data, not widely known in Bihar, a full 1 km of fibre may be extracted from 12-15 banana trees. A plantation thus with 1300 trees can give a producer 85 kms of fibre length. But what are the uses of the banana fibre? And this is where the producer may hit the jackpot.

Banana fibre is used in a variety of industries starting with high quality paper to weaving of saris in South India and Gujarat. The fibre also finds use in high quality security/currency paper, packing cloth, ship towing ropes, wet drilling cables etc.

India also occupies the largest area under Banana cultivation in the world covering approx. 11% of world area of Banana. Banana fiber can partially replace the consumption of Cotton and Jute fiber in India. It has excellent potential for export to Far-east Asian and South Asian countries like Singapore,Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Banana farmers and entrepreneurs in Bihar are thus sitting on a gold mine that they are not aware of. There is one person however who has taken the initiative in Bihar. Virendra Dayal who has a small scale unit in Bidupur, Vaishali took the trouble to get himself trained in the technique of fibre extraction before he put up his industry. He now says he has captive clients who pick up his produce and he doesn’t have to go chasing after them – a major advantage in the case of Bihar where farmers often find tough to seek markets.

Mr Dayal lays down a simple calculation to explain the profitability of the industry – one acre of land will give you 1200 stems approximately. Roughly 12 stems give you around 1 kilo of fibre. Companies willingly pay Rs 150-200 for a kilo of fibre. He started his industry with a machine he bought for the royal sum of Rs 80,000 and a large room as a factory. He is now planning to upgrade the machine with an investment of Rs 150,000. Does that give you an idea of the scale of investment?

You can do the rest of the calculation yourself. Mr dayal does not forget to add that the banana stem juice may be processed into high value molasses as well.  So far we have thought of banana fibre from the entrepreneur’s viewpoint. Once you include the farmer and the local labour employed, you get a complete picture of the potential of this industry.

Kisan Swaraj Yatra enters Bihar – interacts with farmers, farmer leaders and intellectuals in Patna

The Yatra entered Bihar today and the 3-day trip in Bihar began with a public meeting at Srikrishna Vigyan Kendra, Patna. The meeting was attended by farmers, farmer leaders with various unions, students from schools and colleges, urban consumers, media representatives and an ex-Minister, ex-MLA and so on and was chaired by the Chairperson of the State Farmers’ Commission, Dr Upendranath Verma (an active person in his 90s), who was also a former Minister for Rural Development.

Bihar State President of BKU, Mr Ramanuj Singh observed that no political party included any farmers’ issues in their election manifestos in the recently-concluded election, which is a worrisome factor. He lamented at the fact that lakhs of masoor was lying with very poor price support for farmers. He also questioned the institutional credit policies in relation to farmers – why is it that for every tractor that a farmer gets, the mortgage is worth eight to ten times, whereas it is not the same credit policy for other sectors, he asked. He also told the Yatris that if there is hope for a true farmers’ struggle rising up again in the country along the lines that Gandhiji dreamt of, it would happen from Bihar and West Champaran! Mr Dhirendra Narayan Sharma of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, said that the “Green Revolution in Eastern India” should be aptly called as “Loot ki kranti” (“exploitation-revolution”). He pointed out that this country never saw even one political leader who said that they will not accept any hikes in their salaries and emoluments unless farmers get proper remunerative prices and that is the misfortune of the farmers in the country. He also questioned the so-called organic farming implementation in the state of Bihar.

Mr Gowrishankar Nagdansh, an ex-Minister in the Bihar government also spoke. He raised issues related to sharecroppers and talked about a sahityakaar Pharmeshwar Nath “Renu” who did not send his children to school – “he understood that sending children to our education institutions will pull them out of farming I guess”, he remarked.

Mr Vijay Pratap of SADED, well known social activist, emphasized on the need to focus on rainfed agriculture – he reminded everyone that the rainfed belts are the ones which provide nutritious food for everyone. He also pointed out that other regions in India will have to experience the same plight as Punjab today, if we don’t correct our path and learn lessons from the earlier Green Revolution. He also questioned the government’s faith in the American farming models and pointed out that these have been proven to be unsustainable and adding to climate change. We have to come out of our aping of the western notions of development and change our thinking with regard to our farming. He said that the nation has to focus on the revival of the rural economy.

Dr Upendranath Verma raised his concerns against Monsanto being given an official status in India. Our decision makers are corrupt and I have no hesitation saying that here, he remarked. He hoped that the fire that will spread from this Yatra will consume the foreign companies in India and make them flee from here. “We need at least hundred such public meetings in Bihar to be organized after this Yatra leaves – we have to go to the villages with this message – let us get everyone here to shun GM seeds and to save their own seeds”, he said.

Yatris explained why the western influenced intense agriculture can never be a solution for the Indian model of small / individual and marginal farmers. The symbiotic relationship between organic farming and small and marginal holdings was explained. That the current crisis in Indian farming is also an issue for the non-farmers like the urban consumers was also explained in detail.

Other farmers, especially from Bihar Kisan Sangharsh Samiti who spoke in the meeting urged the ASHA people to stay away from (party) politics to ensure that farmers’ issues are carried forward in a non-partisanal manner. Pankaj Bhushan of Tara Foundation explained the nature of ASHA and assured them that this is not linked to political parties.

They also pointed out that there has been large scale failure of maize and matar (green peas) and nothing has been done to compensate farmers for the losses that they incurred.

The whole house rejected the Green Revolution proposals in Bihar by the Union Government. The Yatra put forward three main demands to the yet-to-be-formed government in Bihar:

• Promote organic farming in the state
• Not allow any GM seeds in the state including open air trials and make a legislation to that effect
• Pick up lessons from the earlier Green Revolution and ensure that the Green Revolution proposals are in the benefit of farmers and in a sustainable livelihoods framework

There was a rally afterwards uptil Gandhi Statue where Yatris and others paid homage to the Mahatma. “Mahatma Gandhi ka naara goonjega, is desh ke kone kone mein”, was the slogan that rented the skies. Then we moved to Taru Mitra Bioreserve, an ecological ashram set up by thousands of students across the globe. This place which was a rice field till 1996 was converted to the green heaven it is today by sheer labour from students. There is so much thrust on having as many local species of trees as possible and the fact that the students were not only enlightened about the need of such a spread but also other eco-sensitive issues. We interacted with students from different schools in Patna here.

The day ended with a fantastic public meeting in the Musallahpur bazaar with literally thousands of people listening to the Yatris. Leaflets flew in thousands and it was fantastic to watch people read the leaflets with great interest and do slogan-shouting along with us. The best part was that as we closed the meeting, we did not find a single leaflet dropped on the road – people carefully folded the handbills and put them in their pockets and left. We left for Muzaffarpur after this.

बिहार में मक्के के दाने बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनी के हवाले

cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa us fcgkj ds fdlkuksa dks vius paxqy esa ys gh fy;k

iVuk] 02 vizSy 2010] cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa us ,d ckj fQj lkr o"kksZ ds ckn fcgkj ds fdlkuksa dks vius paxqy esa ys gh fy;k vkSj fcgkj ds fdlkuksa dks eDds dh ,slh cht cspdj pEir gks x, ftlesa vadqj.k rd ugha vk;kA buls mith eDds dh Qly esa nkus ugha vk, vkSj yk[kksa gsDVs;j dh Qly fcgkj esa cckZn gks xbZA lkr lky igys Hkh fcgkj esa eksUlsUVks dEiuh ds dkjfxy cht us ,slk gh xqy f[kyk;k FkkA

            ,sfrgkfld izns'k fcgkj ds fdlku laHkor% [kwu ilhuk yxkdj egktuksa ls dtZ ysdj ljdkj ds eqvkots ds Hkjksls [ksrh djuk lh[k jgsa gSaA ,slh gkyr jgh rks fcgkj esa Hkh fonHkZ] e/;izns'k] vkU/kzizns'k] dukZVd] tSls jkT;ksa ds leku fdlkuksa dks Hkh vkRegR;k djus ij etcwj gksuk iM+sxk] tks mu txgksa ij chVh cSaxu ds ekeys esa gks pqdk gSA vkt jkT; ljdkj Hkys gh dfVgkj ftys ds n.M[kksM+k iz[k.M ds egs'kiqj fuoklh LoxhZ; txnh'k 'kekZ dh ekSr dks vkRegR;k ekuus dks ugha rS;kj gks jgh gS rFkk [kq¡Vh glSyh xk¡o ds eks0 uthe ds lEcU/k esa Hkh ljdkj [kqydj dqN ugha dg ik jgh gS ysfdu ;s txnh'k 'kekZ ,oa eks0 uthe rks fdlh Hkh <+ax ls cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa ds gh f'kdkj gq, gS pkgs LoxhZ; 'kekZ us eDds dh [ksr cckZn gksus ls vkRegR;k fd;k gks vFkok e[kkuk dh [ksr esa eNyh ds fo"k ds fNM+dko ls ejs gksA bl vk'k; ls ;g izdkf'kr gksrk gSa fd ogh cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;k¡ ,d rjQ dhVuk'kd tgjhyh nokkb;k¡  cuokrh gS vkSj nwljh rjQ gk;fczM] VfeZusVj ,oa th ,e chtksa dk Hkh mRiknu djrh gS vkSj Hkksys&Hkksys fdlkuksa dks yqHkkdj muls ewY; ysdj viuh dekbZ djrs gq, muds [ksrksa esa blrjg ds chtksa dk ijh{k.k Hkh dj ysrh gSA

            vkf[kj ,slk gks D;ksa ugha\ fcgkj tSls izxfr'khy d`f"k iz/kku jkT; esa blds jksdFkke ds fy, oÙkZeku esa dksbZ vf/kfu;e ugha cuk gS u gh iqjkus vf/kfu;e dk la'kks/ku gh gqvk gSA jkT; ljdkj izfr gsDVs;j cckZn Qly ij nl gtkj :0 dh jkgr nsus dk QSlyk fd;k gSA bl ij Hkh dbZ iz'u mB [kM+s gksrs gS—

(1) cckZn gq, Qly dh x.kuk esa gh inkf/kdkfj;ska dks dbZ efguksa dk le; yxsxk

(2) D;k eqvkotk ls gh fdlkuksa dh {kfriwÙkZ gks tk,xh \

vkf[kj mu cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa dk D;k gksxk tks lqnqj ns'kksa esa cSBdj uhfr rS;kj djrs gsa fd gekjs [ksrksa esa dkSu lk cht dk iz;ksx gks] lkFk gh ;gk¡ ;g  nksgjkuk mfpr gksxk fd iwoZ esa fQjafx;ksa us gekjs efUnjksa dks yqVk vc gekjs [ksrksa dks yqVus vk, gSaA

            jktsUnz d`f"k vuqlU/kku dsUnz ds oSKkfudksa }kjk bu eDds esa nkus ugha gksus dh tk¡p djus ds ckn ;g Li"V gks pqdk gS fd eDds ds cht eas xM+cM+h gksus ds dkj.k nkus ugha vk, ysfdu ;g ?kksj vk'p;Z dk fo"k; gSa fd jkT; ds dbZ d`f"k inkf/kdkfj;ksa us laHkor% ,d gh ikB i<+k gS vkSj os bl lEcU/k esa ;g dgdj viuk iYyw >kM+ jgs gSa fd eDds dh Qly esa gqbZ cckZnh dk eq[;k dkj.k lgh rkiØe dk ugha feyuk gSA blh lEcU/k esa th ,e eqDr fcgkj vfHk;ku ds la;kstd Jh iadt Hkw"k.k us tc e/ksiqjk ds d`f"k inkf/kdkjh ls nqjHkk"k ij lEidZ fd;k rc mUgksaus] vius tokc esa dgka fd ftl le; eDds dh cht dh cksvkbZ gqbZ Fkh ml le; rkiØe yxHkx 8<sup>o</sup> fMxzh Fkk tcfd rkiØe yxHkx 15<sup>o</sup> fMxzh gksuk pkfg, blh dkj.k ls e/ksiqjk ftyk esa eDds dks uqdlku gqvkA ogha nwljh rjQ eqt¶Qjiqj ftys ds ckspgka iz[k.M ds iz[k.M d`f"k inkf/kdkjh us crk;k fd iz[k.M ds lHkh xkaoksa esa ;g f'kdk;r ikbZ xbZ gS vkSj izFke n`"V;k ;g ekSle dk izHkko yx jgk gS tks tk¡p dh fLFkfr ds ckn irk py ik,xkA f'kogj ftys ds d`f"k inkf/kdkjh dk Hkh yxHkx ;gh c;ku gSA eqt¶qQjiqj ds Fkksd cht foØsrk dq'kokgk cht Hk.Mkj] v[kkM+k?kkV eqt¶Qjiqj] Hkh bls ekSle dk izHkko crkrs gSa vc ;g Lor% Li"V gksus dh ckr gS fd ,drjQ jkT; ljdkj dks fn, tk jgs izfrosnu esa fo'ks"kK cht dh [kjkch crk jgs gSa ogha nwljh rjQ cht foØsrk ls ysdj vf/kdka'k d`f"k inkf/kdkjh bls ekSle dh [kjkch crk jgs gS vc blh ls vuqeku yxk;k tk ldrk gS fd cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa us cht cspus ds Øe esa D;k&D;k gFkd.Mk ugha viuk;k gksxk\

            vfHk;ku ds la;kstd iadt Hkw"k.k us tc e/ksiqjk ftys ds dqekj[k.M iz[k.M ds vUrxZr Vsaxjkgkifjgkjh iapk;r fx)kiapk;r] e?ksyh iapk;r ds dbZ fdlkuksa ls tc lEidZ fd;k rc ogk¡ ds Jh cyjke;kno] y[ku ;kno] j?kqohj ;kno] nkeksnj ;kno] jk/ks ;kno] ';ke lqUnj ;kno lfgr dbZ fdlkuksa us dgk afd geus vius ifjp;i=ksa dks fn[kkdj 160@& ls 200@& :0 fdyks rd dkjxhy ,oa ik;fu;j eDdk cht dtZ ysdj eos'kh cspdj ,oa vkSjrksa dk xguk fxjoh j[kdj VkVk fdlku cht Hk.Mkj] fla?ks'oj e/ksiqjk ls eDds dk cht ;g lkspdj [kjhnk fd eDds dh ygygkrh Qly gekjs dtksZ dks ikVrs gq, gekjs rdyhQksa dks nwj dj nsxhA ysfdu ,slk ugha gqvkA eqt¶Qjiqj ftyk ds ';keckcqjk;] uoy fd'kksj flag] jktsUnz izlkn ;kno us Hkh deksos'k ;gh f'kdk;r dh gSA vc iqu% ;g eaFku dk fo"k; gS fd cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ka vkf[kj dc rd fdlkuksa ds fdlkuh ls [ksy djrh jgsxh vkSj ljdkj ewd n'kZd cuh jgsxh\ ;gk¡  rks l¡isjk ywVsjk dh yksdksäh pfjrkFkZ gks jgh gS ftlesa lisjk chu ctkrk gS vkSj yqVsjk n'kZdksa dh tsc [kkyh djrk gSA

            fdruh vge ckr gS fd ,d rjQ vesfjdk ds fons'k ea=h ds foKku ,oa rduhdh lykdkj uhuk ÝsMjkWQ ds Hkkjr vkxeu] ds lkFk gh dsUnzh; i;kZoj.k ea=h Jh t;jke jes'k us 10 Qjojh 2010 iwoZ ?kksf"kr dk;ZØe ds ,d fnu igys fnukad 9 Qjojh 2010 dks gh Hkkjr dh izFke th,e [kk| Qly chVh cSaxu ij eksjsVksfj;e vFkkZr~ jksd yxk fn;kA ogh cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa ds }kjk VfeZusVj cht] fuoZa'kh cht] gkbczhM cht] voS/k :i ls th,e cht cspus ij ljdkj dh dksbZ ikcUnh ugha gS vkSj vkU/kz izns'k esa tc ljdkj chVh dikl ds ekeys esa eqvkotk dh ?kks"k.kk djuk pkgrh gS rc eksUlSUVks tSlh vesfjdk dh cgqjk"Vªh; dEiuh vkU/kzizns'k esa mPp U;k;y; dh 'kj.k ysrh gSA ealwck rks mu dEifu;ksa dk bruk c<+ x;k gS fd os tc pkgs gekjs ns'k dk lkSnk dj ysosaA

            vfHk;ku ds lfØ; lnL; ccyq izdk'k uss dgk ^^nks iSls dh ykyp esa] ns'k dk lkSnk cUn djksA**

            vfHk;ku ds izkUrh; v/;{k lqjs'kxqIrk us bl ekeys esa dgk fd ;g iw.kZr;k cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa dh lkft'k gS vkSj tc rd ljdkj psrsxh ugha rc rd ,sls gh mudh lkft'k lQy gksrh jgsxhA lHkh dEifu;k¡ tkurh gS fd jkT;ksa esa ;gk¡ rd dh ns'k esa Hkh oÙkZeku esa bu lc eqÌksa ls tqM+k gqvk dksbZ fu;e] vf/kfu;e ykxw ugha gSa ftldk Qk;nk mu cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa dks fey jgk gS tks vesfjdk esa cSBdj j.kuhfr chtuhfr rS;kj djrs gSA

            vfHk;ku ds la;kstd Jh Hkw"k.k us bl ckr ij tksj fn;k fd vkf[kj D;k otg gS fd lu~ 2008 esa dkslh dh fofHkf"kdk ls ekjs gq, fdlkuksa yksxksa ij ;g eDdk ds chtksa dk dgj bl dnj cjlk fd os vius egktu dk dtZ Hkh pqdrk djus ds yk;d ugha jgsA ftlckr dk [kqyklk fcgkj fo/kkulHkk esa 'kqU;dky ds nkSjku ekuuh; fo/kk;dksa us fd;kA D;k dkslh {ks= ds fdlku ,oa turk gh fofHkUu =klfn;ksas dk f'kdkj gksxh\ ;g Hkh ,d iz'u gSA

            fofnr gks fd ,drjQ fnukad 09-02-2010 dks dsUnzh; i;kZoj.k ea=h us chVh cSaxu ij jksd yxkrs gq, yksdra= dh xfjek dh j{kk dh vksj nwljh rjQ ;s cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;k¡ lkjs fu;e dkuwu dks rk[k ij j[kdj bu VfeZusVj chtksa dk [kqYye[kqYyk O;kikj dj jgh gSaA  

            ;gk¡ ;g vafdr djuk vfuok;Z gksxk fd ^^us'kuy ckW;ksVsDuksykWth vkWfFkjhVh vkWQ bf.M;k fcy & 2010** oÙkZeku laln esa yfEcr gS ftlesa dbZ [kkfe;k¡ n`f"Vxkspj gqbZ gS] jkT; esa Hkh bl rjg dk dksbZ dkuwu ugha gS ftl otg ls bu cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa dks [kqYye[kqYyk izJ; fey jgk gSA

            ;g dgus esa vfr'k;ksfDr ugha gksxh fd iM+kslh ns'k usiky ds ckjk] ijlk] jmrkg] ljykgh ,oa uoy ijklh tSls ik¡p rjkbZ ftyksa ds 25 gtkj gsDVs;j [ksrksa esa eDds dh Qly ccknZ gqbZ gSA ;gk¡ Hkh os cht cgqjk"Vªh; dEiuh ds gh FksA Kkr gqvk fd ogk¡ ds fdlkuksa us Hkh ik;ksfu;j dEiuh] lhMVsd dEiuh] ihuSdy dEiuh] la/;k dEiuh ,oa eksUlSuVks dEiuh dk cht iz;ksx esa yk;k x;k FkkA ;g Hkh Kkr gqvk fd ik;ksfu;j gkbfczM ,d cgqjk"Vªh; dEiuh Johnson, Indiana, USA dh gSA blh lUnHkZ esa cautfj;k ds jkefd'kqu ikWy dgrs gS fd eSaus d`f"k fodkl cSad ls pkj yk[k :0 dk dtZ ysdj pkj ch?kk esa eDds dh [ksrh dh Fkh] vc iwjs o"kZ ifjokj dks dgk ls f[kykÅ¡xkA catfj;k ds nwljs fdlku foUnk'kkg us bl ckj eDds dh [ksrh ls viuh csVh dh 'kknh dk [okc ns[kk Fkk tks fd ^^fny dh vjek vk¡lqvksa esa cg x,** esa ifj.kr gks x;kA jksrkgr ¼usiky½ ds ftyk d`f"k fodkl dk;kZy; ds vkseizdk'k d.kZ dgrs gS fd ;gk¡ lk<+s&pkj gtkj gsDVs;j tehu esa ik;ksfu;j dEiuh ds V92 fdLe ds chtksa dk iz;ksx gqvk Fkk ftlesa 90% [ksrksa esa nkuk ugha vk;k vkSj mUgksaus lkFk gh lkFk ;g Hkh Lohdkj fd;k fd if'pe caxky] fcgkj] >kj[k.M ,oa m0 izns'k ds fdlku Hkh blh ds f'kdkj gq, gSA ijlk ¼usiky½ ds ftyk d`f"k dk;kZy; ds lgk;d rduhf'k;u n;k jke gfjtu dgrs gSa fd ;gk¡ ds fdlkuksa us V92 ,oa la/;k czkWUM eDds ds chtksa dk mi;ksx fd;k Fkk vkSj 27 Oct. ls 30 Nov. rd bu chtksa dh cksvkbZ gqbZ Fkh ftlesa nkus fcYdqy gh ugha gSA ljykgh ¼usiky½ ds ftyk d`f"k fodkl dk;kZy; ls jkedSyk'k;kno dgrs gS fd ;gk¡ 15 gsDVs;j ls V92 eDds ds cht cks;k x;k Fkk ftlesa nkus ugha vk,A

            mijksDr fo'ys"k.k ls ;g lkfcr gksrk gS fd ;s cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;k¡ gekjs ns'k ds lkFk&lkFk dbZ ns'kksa ds [ksrksa ij dCtk tekdj gesa fQj ls xqyke cukuk pkgrh gSaA ;g dguk vuqfpr ugha gksxk fd bu VsfeZusVj chtksa ls iqu% jksiuh ds fy, cht fufeZr ugha fd, tk ldrs vkSj gj Qly ds fy, gekjs fdlkuksa dks mu cgqjk"Vªh; dEifu;ksa ds ryos pkVus gksaxs tks gekjs xjhc fdlkuksa dks vkRegR;k djus ij etcwj djrh vk jgh gSA

            blh ifjis{; esa th,e eqDr fcgkj vfHk;ku us fcgkj ds eq[;ea=h] mieq[;ea=h ,oa egkefge jkT;iky dks Kkiu nsrs gq, vuqjks/k fd;k gS fd fcgkj jkT; esa u;k cht vf/kfu;e cuk;k tk, ftlds vUrxZr chtksa dh xq.koÙkk ,oa ewY;ksa dk fu/kkZj.k ljdkj dj ldsA lkFk gh lkFk jkT; esa tsusfVd eksfMQk;M ¼th,e½ chtksa ds O;kikj ,oa muds ijh{k.k ij jksd yxkus ls lEcfU/kr dkuwu cuk;k tk ldsA

            ;g blfy, vko';d gS fd fnukad 09-02-2010 dks  chVh cSaxu ij jksd yxus ds mijkUr Hkh ekWfgdks dEiuh tks vesfjdk dh ekSulsUVks dEiuh ds lkFk tqM+h gqbZ gS] ds ikl vHkh Hkh dqy 684631 xzke chVh cSaxu ds cht gS vkSj rfeyukMq d`f"k fo'ofo|ky; dks;EcVqj ds ikl 100 xzke cht gS rFkk /kkjokM+ d`f"k fo'ofo|ky; ds ikl dqy 417 xzke chVh cSaxu ds cht i;kZIr ek=k esa miyC/k gSA ;g vyx ckr gS fd i;kZoj.k ea=ky; v/khuLFk tsusfVd bfUtfu;jhax ,izwoy dfeVh dh cSBd fnukad 14-02-2010 esa] fu/kkZfjr gqvk Fkk fd bu chtksa dks us'kuy C;wjksa vkWQ IykWUV tsusfVDl ,.M fjlkslsZt us tek dj fn, tk,a ysfdu ;g 'kk;n vHkh rd ugha gqvkA vuqqeku yxkuk vc vkids gkFk esa gSaA

iadt Hkw"k.k

जीएम फसलों से किसानों की बर्बादी पर अनिल प्रकाश की टिप्पणी

निर्र्वश बीजों से तबाही


देश में बीटी बैगन का विवाद थमा भी नहीं था कि बिहार में एक और बड़ा हादसा हो गया। मक्का यहां की प्रमुख फसल है। जिन किसानों ने पूसा कृषि विश्वविद्यालय द्वारा विकसित बीज या अपने परंपरागत बीज बोए थे उनके पौधों में दाने भरपूर हैं। लेकिन लगभग दो लाख एकड़ भूमि में टर्मिनेटर सीड (निर्वश बीजों) का प्रयोग किया गया। इसके पौधे लहलहाए जरूर लेकिन उनमें दाने नहीं निकले। जिन किसानों ने टर्मिनेटर बीजों का प्रयोग किया, उनके खेतों में पौधों से दाने गायब थे। किसानों ने इन बीजों को 180 से 285 रुपये प्रति किलोग्राम की दर पर खरीदा था। खाद, बीज सिंचाई, मेहनताना सब मिलाकर प्रति एकड़ लगभग 10 हजार रुपये की लागत आई थी। यानी 25 हजार रुपये प्रति हेक्टेयर। 80 प्रतिशत किसानों ने महाजनों से पांच रुपये प्रति सैकड़ा/ महीना की दर पर कर्ज लेकर खेती की थी। बड़ी जद्दोजहद के बाद मुख्यमंत्री ने स्वीकार किया कि एक लाख उनसठ हजार एकड़ (63 हजार हेक्टेयर) में मक्के की फसल में दाने नहीं आए। सरकार ने प्रति हेक्टेयर 10 हजार रुपये (यानी प्रति एकड़ सिर्फ चार हजार रुपये) मुआवजा देने की घोषणा की है। यह रकम खेत में लगी लागत के आधे से भी कम है। मुआवजा तो लागत के अतिरिक्त फसल की संभावित उपज के आधर पर दी जानी चाहिए थी। फिर जो किसान दूसरों से बटाई पर जमीन लेकर खेती कर रहे थे उनको तो एक पाई भी नहीं मिलेगी। आज से सात साल पूर्व 2003 में भी बिहार में ऐसा ही हादसा हुआ था। तब टर्मिनेटर (निर्र्वश) बीजों के प्रयोग के कारण फसल में दाने नहीं आए थे। देश में कई बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनियां टर्मिनेटर बीजों का व्यापार करती हैं। इन बीजों से उत्पादित मक्का, गेहूं, टमाटर या कपास को खेत में दोबारा नहीं उगाया जा सकता। आखिर बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनियों को किसने यह अधिकार दिया कि इस प्रकार किसानों को अंधेरे में रखकर बड़े पैमाने पर अपने बीजों का ट्रायल करें। इन कंपनियों को इस गफलत के लिए कानूनी घेरे में लिया जाना चाहिए और उनसे किसानों के हर्जाने की भरपाई करानी चाहिए। उन पर भारी जुर्माना लगाया जाना चाहिए। इसी तरह कृषि विभाग के जो अधिकारी इन बीजों के प्रयोग की छूट देने के लिए जिम्मेदार हैं उन्हें भी जेल भेजा जाना चाहिए। सन 2002 में मध्य प्रदेश में किसानों को प्रलोभन देकर दस हजार एकड़ में बीटी कपास की खेती करा‌र्‌र्र्ई ग‌र्‌र्र्ई। पूरी फसल बर्बाद हो ग‌र्‌र्र्ई। आंध्र प्रदेश, महाराष्ट्र, गुजरात तथा अन्य राज्यों में भी जीएम बीजों के कारण फसल बर्बाद हुई है और वहां के किसान लगातार इसका विरोध कर रहे हैं। टर्मिनेटर बीज बनाने वाली बड़ी-बड़ी कंपनियां मूलत: रसायन बनाने वाली कंपनियां हैं। इन बड़ी कंपनियों की वैश्विक आय का आधा खरपतवार नाशकों तथा अन्य रसायनों से आता है। आज दुनिया भर के जेनेटिकली मोडिफायड बीजों के व्यापार का अधिकांश इन्हीं कंपनियों के हाथों में है। ये कंपनियां राजनेताओं, नौकरशाहों और कृषि वैज्ञानिकों को आर्थिक लाभ पहुंचाकर अपने पक्ष में फैसले करवाने के लिए कुख्यात हैं। यह ध्यान रहे कि पूरे विश्व में निर्वंश बीजों का विरोध हो रहा है। यूरोप के कई देशों में इन पर प्रतिबंध भी लगाया गया है। खेती में जहरीले रसायनों के प्रयोग से पंजाब में कैंसर तथा अन्य घातक बीमारियों को तेजी से प्रसार हुआ है। वहां के खेत ऊसर होते जा रहे हैं। अनाज का कटोरा कहे जाने वाले इस प्रदेश में किसानों की हालत बिगड़ती जा रही है और वे आत्महत्या के लिए विवश हो रहे हैं। बड़ी-बड़ी बीज कंपनियों की लोलुप नजरें विकासशील देशों की जैव विविधता पर लगी हैं। एक ओर ये जीएम बीज बनाकर उनका पेंटेंट करा रही हैं और दूसरी ओर बीजों का एकाधिकार कायम करने के लिए निर्वंश बीजों के द्वारा हमारे बीजों के भंडार तथा हमारी जैव विविधता को नष्ट कर रही हैं। जिन खेतों में निर्वंश बीजों का प्रयोग होता है उसके आस-पास की दूसरी फसलों पर भी इनके पराग फैल जाते हैं और उन फसलों के बीजों को भी निर्र्वश कर देते हैं। यह माना जा रहा है कि निर्वंश बीजों से उपजे पौधों में जहरीले रसायन उत्पन्न होते हैं, जो किसी खास कीट को तो नष्ट कर देते हैं लेकिन अन्य प्रकार के कीटों को मारने के लिए अन्य जहरीले रसायनों का प्रयोग करना पड़ता है। यही नहीं, रासायनिक फर्टिलाइजर तथा सिंचाई की भी इसमें भरपूर जरूरत पड़ती है। इनके पौधे जहरीले हो जाते हैं इसलिये चारे के रूप में इन्हें खा कर पशु बीमार पड़ते हैं और कई बार मरते भी हैं। 
(लेखक स्वतंत्र टिप्पणीकार हैं)

Bihar says no to Bt brinjal

NEW DELHI, January 7, 2010

Bihar has become the first State to reject the commercial cultivation of genetically modified or Bt brinjal, if only temporarily.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said the issue was carefully considered by the Rajya Kisan Ayog, which, after deliberations with farmers, agricultural scientists and agricultural officers was of the opinion that there should be an adequate number of trials to see its performance in different agro-climatic conditions in the State. Such trials should be held involving agricultural research institutions in the State, the Ayog said in its report.

In a letter to the Minister of State (Independent charge) Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, the Bihar Chief Minister said the Ayog also noted that no data was provided on the commercial aspect of cultivation of Bt brinjal, which was important from the point of view of farmers who are mostly small and marginal farmers. “The Ayog is therefore not in favour introduction of Bt brinjal in the State at this point. The recommendations of the Rajya Kisan Ayog have been considered and fully endorsed by the government,” Mr. Kumar said. Bihar accounts for 11 per cent of brinjal cultivation in the country.

Earlier, Mr. Ramesh sought opinions from the six brinjal-producing States on the issue including West Bengal that produces 30 per cent of brinjal, Orissa accounting for 20 per cent, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh (six per cent each) and Karnataka 4 per cent.

The Minister’s letters to these States were ahead of the public consultations beginning January 13. The Minister has also written to 50 scientists involved in genetic engineering, biotechnology and agriculture in the U.S., UK, France, Australia and India. Opinion has also been sought from the Ministry of Health, Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

बीटी बैगन परार्मश बैठक में भाग लेने जायेगी टीम

Jan 06, 12:00 am

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/bihar/4_4_6080581.html

मुजफ्फरपुर। 13 जनवरी से कोलकता में शुरू होने वाले बीटी बैगन से संबंधित राष्ट्रव्यापी परार्मश बैठक में भाग लेने के लिए जिले से जिले से 12 सदस्यीय टीम कोलकता जायेगी। टीम में शामिल सुरेश गुप्ता, विजय कुमार सिंह, अजय कुमार सिंह, राजेंद्र राय, पंकज भूषण, डा. आरके सिंह, डा. रामाधार, डा. राम पदमदेव, प्रकाश बब्लू के अलावा जहानाबाद जिले के दो कृषक की टीम 12 जनवरी को कोलकता के लिए रवाना होगी। जीएम मुक्त बिहार अभियान के संयोजक पंकज भूषण ने बताया कि केंद्रीय पर्यावरण एवं वन मंत्रालय द्वारा बीटी बैगन के संबंध में लिये जाने वाले अंतिम निर्णय के पूर्व राष्ट्रव्यापी परार्मश बैठक का आयोजन किया है। देश के सात स्थानों, कोलकता, भूवनेश्वर, अहमदाबाद, हैदराबाद, बंगलौर, नागपुर व चंडीगढ़ में आयोजित की गयी है।

Mahesh Bhatt’s “Poison on the Platter” inaugurated

Mahesh Bhatt’s “Poison on the Platter” was inaugurated at Patna on 7th November 2009 by noted Bhojpuri stars Dines lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’ and Pakhi Hegde.The much talked about film was screened at the Maurya Hotel before a large number of People. The Film targets the bad effects of Genetically Modified Foods & crops and its inauguration marks the launch of state-vide programme by farmers & activists against the BT Brinjal Crop. The timing is significant as the final nod to BT Brinjal is awaiting the Central Government signal. Addressing the audience the Bhojpuri stars said that they were worried over the proposed sale & production of GM Foods & Crops in Bihar in particular.Cine actress Pakhi hedge said she is not going to allow Poisoned Foods at the dining table as she equated GM Foods with Poisonous substances.

Echoing her view, Cine Actor Nirahua said he was very much impressed by the Film “Poison on the Platter” and also said that he was shocked as to how could the Government go ahead with experiments over the dining table.

Convenor, GM Free Bihar Abhiyaan Pankaj Bhushan also addressed the audience and said “GM Crops, BT Brinjal in particular, if allowed would ruin the health and economy of Bihar”.

Thanks to drought, farmers taking to floriculture

News Desk - November 2, 2009

Chainpur (Bihar), Nov 2: Changeover from traditional crop farming to floriculture by several farmers of Chainpur village in Bihar is taking place, due to drought-like conditions in the region.

An increasing number of farmers in Chainpur village of Masaurhi subdivision near Patna are substituting traditional farming with flower cultivation.

Nawal Kumar, a floriculturist who used to grow wheat and rice earlier feels that growing flowers is more beneficial.

“The production of wheat and rice was not good this year. So we have switched over to flower cultivation. It is beneficial as it is providing profits. The flower cultivation requires less water for irrigation. Hence it is very beneficial,” he said.

He also said that a farmer earns around Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 from the cultivation of less than half acre of land.

Traditional harvest of the farmers was damaged due to delayed monsoon and deficient rainwater. Floriculture is the new best alternative for farmers fearing low yield and a heavy loss.

- AGENCIES

Chhath puja ends with reverence to Surya Dev

News Desk - October 25, 2009

The four-day Chhath festival ended Sunday in Bihar with millions of devotees, mostly women, taking a dip in the Ganga river and praying to the rising sun. The devotees also ended their 36-hour long fast by offering prayers and floating lighted earthen lamps in the river. They sang folk songs and offered prayers to the sun god. “Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the banks of Ganga, other rivers, ponds and other water bodies across Bihar early (Sunday) morning to offer ‘Araghya’ to the rising sun to mark the end of Chhath puja,” said Savitri Devi, a devotee. Another devotee Purnima Yadav said the devout were waiting for sunrise and sang traditional songs in groups. At the break of dawn, they offered ritual and prayers for divine blessings. She said devotees had offered prayers to the setting sun Saturday. The offerings comprising fruits, home-made sweets like thekuas, pedas, pakwan, chawal ke laddoo, raw vegetables and the first crop from the fields were also distributed. All these sweets and offerings were arranged in scoops, baskets and trays made of bamboo.

Sun, considered the god of energy and life-force, is worshipped during Chhath for well-being, prosperity and progress.

A rare show of brotherhood and harmony was on display during the festival when people cutting across social barriers gathered to celebrate Chhath in villages and towns. Roads and river banks had been cleaned and decorated for the occasion.

The four-day long Chhath festival began Thursday when devotees took a dip in the rivers, a tradition known as ‘nahai khai’. It was followed by the ritual of ‘kharna’ Friday when sweet dishes were prepared. Much to the relief of the authorities, the festival passed off peacefully across the state.

Orissa bans Bt Brinjal citing small farmers’ interests and biosafety concerns

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/orissa-bans-bt-brinjal-citing-small... 

Debabrata Mohanty 

Tags : Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, Bt Brinjal 

Posted: Friday , Oct 23, 2009 at 0150 hrs 

Bhubaneswar: 

Despite the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee giving its nod to the commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal last week, Orissa government has made it clear that commercial farming of any genetically modified crop, including brinjal, would not be allowed in the state. “It (Bt Brinjal) is detrimental to the interest of the farmers. The Orissa government is strategic in its stand against GM crops — either Bt Cotton or Bt Brinjal. The state has over 100 varieties of locally- produced brinjal and those may be affected by Bt Brinjal production,” Orissa Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout said. He added that Bt Brinjal would adversely affect large number of poor and small farmers in the state in the long run. “The modified crops may help big farmers, but it would certainly not help the poor villagers who grow brinjal in their kitchen gardens,” Rout said. State Agriculture Secretary U P Singh said Orissa has taken a policy decision not to allow Bt Brinjal production. Singh claimed to have no information of GEAC approving the commercial production. “But that does not make any difference. It has all along been our stand that we would not allow Bt Brinjal or for that matter any GM crop in Orissa.” Singh underlined that nobody can force Orissa to go for commercial production of Bt Brinjal as agriculture is a state subject. Orissa government’s stance has been widely hailed by the anti-GM activists. “The people of Orissa will bless you for this momentous task to protect our favourite food and delicacy. Brinjal is a native crop of Orissa,” said Jagannath Chatterjee of Living Farms, a Bhubaneswar-based anti-GM initiative. Kerala-based activist Sridhar Radhakrishnan said he was happy that Orissa is the second state after Kerala to oppose GM crop. But activists sounded words of caution saying loopholes in regulation and lax government supervision did not offer much hope. “The state government may not allow Bt Brinjal cultivation, but how would it stop Bt Brinjal seeds coming in through the neighbouring states. This has happened with Bt Cotton which is being grown in over 10,000 acres of area in Kalahandi, Raygada and Bolangir districts. The cotton farmers there are at great risk as their indebtedness are only increasing by the day,” said Debjeet Sarangi, an anti-GM activist of Bhubaneswar. Agriculture secretary U P Singh agreed that it was difficult to differentiate Bt Cotton seeds from non-Bt Cotton seeds. “Some years ago we had seized Bt Cotton seeds from Bargarh district. But that is not possible always,”he said. Incidentally, tests of Bt Brinjal are underway in the horticultural research station of Khandagiri in Bhubaneswar, under isolated conditions since winter 2008. Vice-chancellor of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, D P Ray told The Indian Express that the tests are being done over a 2,000 sq metre plot as part of the All India Vegetable Improvement Project of Varanasi-based Indian Institute of Vegetable Research. “The tests would continue for another two years and then the results would be sent to IIVR for analysis,” he said. Ray, who is a member of the state’s Committee on Biosafety, added that it would be harmful to allow commercial production of Bt Brinjal as there are more than 100 germplasms of the crop. “We have good biodiversity and those may be affected by Bt Brinjal,” he said. 

हमारा बीज बिहार नेटवर्क

दिनांक ५ एवं ६ अक्टूबर २००९ को स्थानीय ए एन सिन्हा इंस्टिट्यूट  में हमारा बीज पर दो दिवसीय कार्यशाला का आयोजन तारा फाउंडेशन के तत्वाधान में स्विश एड इंडिया के सहयोग से आयोजित हुआ. कार्यशाला की मुख्य वक्ता कविता कुरुगंती (कृषि विरासत मिशन पंजाब) ने कार्यशाला का उद्घाटन करते हुए कहा की अनुवांशिक रूप से संशोधित खाद्य पदार्थों से भारत को मुक्त करने का यह एक अभियान है. अनुवांशिक रूप से संशोधित खाद्य पदार्थ बनाने के लिए असंबंधित जीव जैसे जीवाणु, विषाणु तथा अन्य जानवरों के जींस यानि अनुवांशिक गुणों को हमारे खाद्य पौधों जैसे बैंगन, चावल, टमाटर, भिन्डी, गोभी, आलू आदि की कोशिका में कृत्रिम रूप से प्रत्यारोपित  कर दिया जाता है. अनुवांशिक अभियांत्रिकी का विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी अधूरी व अपरिवर्तनीय है और यह प्रमाणित है की ये हमारे महत्वपूर्ण अंगों जैसे गुर्दे, लीवर  और दिमाग, जीवन की रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता और प्रजनन क्षमता  पर हीं नहीं बल्कि पर्यावरण पर भी बुरा असर डालते हैं. शोध बतातें हैं की ये खाद्य पदार्थ आने वाली पीढी पर भी बुरा असर डाळ  सकते हैं.

कार्यशाला को संबोधित करते हुए तारा फाउंडेशन के सचिव पंकज भूषण ने कहा की यह प्रक्रिया भारत की धरती पर अब अनजान नहीं रही क्योंकि यह हमारे देश में जड़ जमा चुकी है. अब तक बी टी कपास को उगाने  व प्रचारित करने की खबर इतनी फ़ैल चुकी है की किसान इस नई फसल को अपनाने के लिए मजबूर हो गए हैं. भारत में पहली जैव संशोधित फसल मुनाफाखोर संस्थाओं द्वारा बी टी बैंगन के रूप में प्रचारित की गई है. बी टी बैंगन बनाने के लिए बैंगन के जीनोम में बैक्टेरिया के जीन प्रत्यारोपित कर पौधे के अन्दर हीं ऐसा ज़हर पैदा किया जाता है जो फसल नष्ट  करने वाले कीडो को मार देता है. ऐसे विषैले बीजों के निर्माता ये दावा करते हैं की किसान इन बीजों के उपयोग से रासायनिक कीटनाशक का इस्तेमाल कम कर सकेंगे. ध्यान दीजिये बी टी बैंगन हीं  अकेला संशोधित फसल नहीं है. भारत में चावल, आलू, टमाटर, पत्तागोभी, गोभी, भिन्डी आदि को मिला कर कुल ५६ प्रकार के पौधों को अनुवांशिक रूप से संशोधित किया जा रहा है.
कार्यशाला में हम लोग ट्रस्ट, महिला विकास सेवा संस्थान नालंदा, निखिल रुरल देवेलोप्मेंट सोसाइटी पटना, हनुमान प्रसाद ग्रामीण विकास सेवा संस्थान, सर्व सहयोग संघ बरबीघा, दिशा विकास केंद्र, अभिनन्दन, ऐड इंडिया बिहार, चाइल्ड केयर पटना, आकांक्षा   सेवा सदन, ग्लोबल देवेलोप्मेंट आरगेनाइजेशन के गणमान्य पदाधिकारी  शामिल हुए.
कविता जी ने उपस्थित व्यक्तियों को जी एम् के दुष्प्रभाव से अवगत कराया एवं इस से सम्बंधित कई फिल्मो को  दिखाया.         

यदि जैव संशोधित फसल को इस देश में अनुमति मिल गई तो ये आपके और मेरे - हमारे लिए विकल्पों का अंत होगा.

अगर आप इस पर भरोसा करते हैं तो हमारा साथ दीजिये;

* दावा कीजिये की भर्त्ये किसी प्रयोशाला के चूहें नहीं हैं; खाद्य पदार्थों के चुनाव व सुरक्चित भोजन के अधिकार को हासिल कीजिये.

* गर्व से कहिए- मैं किसी प्रयोगशाला का चूहा नहीं हूँ.

* भारत के प्रधानमंत्री को एक ऑनलाइन पेटिशन इस पर भेजें: www iamnolabrat .com

दिलों को जोड़ने निकला कृषि जागरूकता रथ

पटना (हि० ब्यूरो०)   अधिकारियों और किसानो के दिल को जोड़ने सभी जिलों के लिए रवाना हुए किसान जागरूकता रथ. सरकार और किसानों के बीच की दूरी को कम करने निकले इन ३८ रथों को गुरुवार को मुख्यमंत्री नीतिश कुमार ने हरी झंडी दिखा कर विदा किया. २ से ३१ अक्टूबर  तक राज्य की २६७० पंचायतो में शिविर का आयोजन होगा. हर प्रखंड में कम से कम एक हजार किसानों को इसके माध्यम से कृषि एवं संबध विषयों की जानकारी दी जायेगी. मौके पर अनुदान के लिए आवेदन लिए जायेंगे तथा लंबित मामलों का निबटारा होगा.

Meeting India's tree planting guru

By Amarnath Tewary

BBC News, Bihar

        Mr Raju is single-handedly organising the re-forestation of his state (All pics: Prashant Ravi)
An Indian civil servant, SM Raju, has come up with a novel way of providing employment to millions of poor in the eastern state of Bihar.

His campaign to encourage people to plant trees effectively addresses two burning issues of the world: global warming and shrinking job opportunities.

Evidence of Mr Raju's success could clearly be seen on 30 August, when he organised 300,000 villagers from over 7,500 villages in northern Bihar to engage in a mass tree planting ceremony.

In doing so the agriculture graduate from Bangalore has provided "sustainable employment" to people living below the poverty line in Bihar.

'Lack of awareness'
Mr Raju has linked his "social forestry" programme to the central government's National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) which is also designed to provide employment to poor people.

Under NREGA - initiated in February 2006 as the government's most ambitious employment generation scheme for poor people - the authorities are bound by law to provide a minimum of 100 days of employment a year to members of families living below the poverty line.

About 44% of Bihar's population fall into this category.

"The scheme has brought benefits to thousands of families since its implementation," said a recent International Labour Organisation report.

But Mr Raju says that Bihar - being the poorest and most lawless state of India - has not been able to spend the allocated NREGA funds.

"This is because of a lack of awareness among officials about the scheme," he said.

The poor monsoon this year has led to lower agricultural outputs, while flash floods in some northern districts has made the situation even worse, he said.

"So the idea struck to my mind, why not involve families below the poverty line in social forestry and give them employment under this scheme for 100 days?

"Under the scheme, each family can earn a minimum of 10,200 rupees ($210)."

Target
The civil servant immediately made a blueprint of his idea and got the support of senior state officials.

In June Mr Raju released a comprehensive booklet of "dos and don'ts" and distributed it to village heads and district officials.

His initiative meant that NREGA funds were fully utilised - in the past this has not always been the case.

"I told the villagers that they would get 100 days employment in a year simply by planting trees and protecting them. The old, handicapped and widows would be given preference," he explained.

Every village council has now been given a target of planting 50,000 saplings - a group of four families has to plant 200 seedlings and they must protect them for three years till the plants grow more sturdy.

"They would get the full payment if they can ensure the survival of 90% of the plants under their care. For a 75-80% survival rate, they will be paid only half the wage. If the survival rate is less than 75%, the families in the group will be replaced," the guidelines say.

Under NREGA rules, each worker has to be paid 100 rupees ($2) per day for 100 days in a year.
Increase in funds

Mr Raju even came close to planting one billion saplings on a single day.

"I started preparing for this and motivating villagers by announcing the date as 30 August," he said.

"The target for every village panchayat (council) was to plant 6,000 saplings from 6am to 6pm to achieve the target of one billion. At the end of the day, we found out that we were just just short of the target, but it was still a world record," the beaming civil servant said.

Significantly, his scheme has even stopped the migration of poor labourers from the area in search of employment elsewhere during monsoon time.

"We never thought we would get employment for planting trees and protecting them," said Paigambarpur village head Indra Bhusan, whose community - like many others - planted over 30,000 saplings mostly on both flanks of the 14km embankment which criss-crosses their village.

The saplings planted are both fruit and non-fruit trees. The non-fruit seedlings have been planted on the banks of the embankment and on state and national highways - while fruit bearing trees are planted inside the villages.

This year the central government has given more money to the scheme.

Meanwhile, the Bihar civil servant is busy collecting the facts and figures to get his feat listed by Guinness World Records.

"Bihar has edged out Pakistan from the record book," he said flashing a confident smile.

"Its all become possible due to villagers. I owe them a lot."

Minister Advocates Organic Farming

Patna: September 24, 2009

State Agriculture Minister Renu Kushwaha, at an awareness program organized by the Insecticides (India) Ltd. at Hotel Maurya in Patna on Thursday said that Bihar could not expect to develop by ignoring the farming sector of the state and overlooking the interests of the farmers.

Kushwaha said that the state government was preparing an agricultural road map that would offer ways and means to increase productivity from the early stage of sowing seeds to the distribution of farm produce using state of the art warehousing and transportation facilities.

The minister thanked Insecticides Ltd and other private companies for offering products like insecticides, and irrigation and farming tools, that, she said, helped farmers raise their agricultural productivity at the fraction of a cost while giving them a chance to maximize their profits.

The Agriculture minister also stressed the need for expansion in organic farming saying over use of chemical and fertilizers eventually kill the fertility of the land, as is the case in Punjab and Haryana.

Patnadaily.com

BIHAR

Location

Bihar is located in the eastern part of the country (between 83°-30' to 88°-00' longitude). It is an entirely land–locked state, although the outlet to the sea through the port of Kolkata is not far away. Bihar lies mid-way between the humid West Bengal in the east and the sub humid Uttar Pradesh in the west which provides it with a transitional position in respect of climate, economy and culture. It is bounded by Nepal in the north and by Jharkhand in the south. The Bihar plain is divided into two unequal halves by the river Ganga which flows through the middle from west to east.

Physical Features

Latitude 21°-58'-10" ~ 27°-31'-15" N
Longitude 82°-19'-50" ~ 88°-17'-40" E
Rural Area 92,257.51 sq. kms
Urban Area 1,095.49 sq. kms
Total Area 94,163.00 sq. kms
Height above Sea-Level 173 Feet
Normal Rainfall 1,205 mm
Avg. Number of Rainy Days 52.5 Days in a Year
Administrative Units
Divisions 9
Districts 38
Sub-Divisions 101
CD Blocks 534
Panchayats 8,471
Number of Revenue Villages 45,103
Number of Urban Agglomerations 9
Number of Towns 130
- Statutory Towns 125
- Non-Statutory Towns 5
Police Stations 853
- Civil Police Stations 813
- Railway Police Stations 40
Police Districts 43
- Civil Police District 39
- Railway Police District 4
Key Statistics - as per 2001 Census (Provisional)
Population 8,28,78,796
- Male 4,31,53,964
- Female 3,97,24,832

Monsanto Barred From Selling Seeds In Bihar

By Imran Khan, Indo-Asian News Service, Patna

Monsanto India Ltd., a subsidiary of the U.S. multinational, has been barred from selling seeds in Bihar for allegedly marketing substandard products.

The action came after farmers complained that Monsanto's Cargill hybrid 900M maize seeds were substandard or contaminated as they failed to germinate and much of the winter crop failed, Agriculture Minister Shivshankar Yadav said.

Monsanto is believed to have sold 700 tonnes of seeds for the winter crop, promising farmers yields of 80 to 85 quintals per acre. The actual yield was not even 10 percent of this, according to figures available with the government.

Bihar has 180,000 acres under maize. Monsanto seeds were planted over 140,000 hectares.

The company has been asked to explain its conduct. Experts from the Rajendra Agriculture University (RAU) would study its reply before the Government decides on canceling the company's license to operate in the state, Yadav added.

Monsanto officials contend the poor yields were due to the unexpected cold weather earlier this year that had affected all hybrids across much of Bihar as well as nearby regions.

They pointed out that seed trial during the summer crop of 1996, 1997 and 1998 had produced adequate yields, after which they had been recommended to the central seed committee for notification in 1999.

Sources in the Bihar government said it was under tremendous pressure to cancel Monsanto's license because thousands of farmers were demanding compensation after being reduced to penury following the failure of the winter crop.

While the loss has not been quantified, B.N. Jha, a specialist with the Agriculture Technology Management Agency, said it would run into millions of rupees.

"Farmers sowed Cargill seeds over hundreds of acres in Muzaffarpur district but the low output has devastated us. We had not faced such a problem earlier," said an upset Aawadesh Singh, a farmer of Meenapur village in the district.

His tale is similar to that of hundreds of farmers in over a dozen districts of north Bihar including Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani and West and East Champaran.

Monsanto has said it would send its teams to the affected districts to study the situation on the ground.